Holmes shares Bay Hill lead with Davis Love

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
American J B Holmes gave his chances of securing a place at the Masters a boost by taking a share of the lead after the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Holmes needs a top-four finish in Florida if he is to have any chance of securing himself a place inside the world's top 50 and an invite to the first major of the year and he got off to the best possible start with a six-under-par round of 66.
The 27-year-old birdied his first hole, the 10th, and claimed an eagle at the par-five 12th. He produced further birdies at the fifth, sixth and ninth as he completed a flawless round.
He was joined at the top of the leaderboard by fellow American Davis Love III, who shot seven birdies and an eagle on the way to his 66.
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Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Canada's Mike Weir headed the chasing pack on five under with both players registering seven birdies.
Next up was a group of four players at four under including Ernie Els and Kevin Streelman, Kevin Na and Robert Allenby.
While Holmes was setting the pace it was not proving to be such a promising opening day for some other players in need of results if they are to head down Magnolia Drive in a couple of weeks' time.
England's Justin Rose lay three over par after double bogeying at the 13th, with the 29-year-old requiring a top-four finish to have any chance to reaching the top 50.
Canada's Stephen Ames, who needs a top-five placing, was one over after his opening 18 holes while Bubba Watson was four over as he goes in search of a top-two finish.
Korea's KJ Choi, who needs to finish in the top 55 to keep his Masters hopes alive, was tied for 31st at one under. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell was the top British contender also at one under par while European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was at level par with fellow Glasgow's Martin Laird back on two over.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
J.B. Holmes 66
Davis Love III 66
Henrik Stenson 67
Mike Weir 67
Ernie Els 68
Kevin Streelman 68
Kevin Na 68
Robert Allenby 68
Chris DiMarco 69
Heath Slocum 69
George McNeill 69
Jason Dufner 69
Steve Stricker 69
Ben Crane 69
D.J. Trahan 69
Nathan Green 69
Pat Perez 69
Steve Marino 70
Paul Goydos 70
Kevin Sutherland 70
Sean O'Hair 70
John Rollins 70
Boo Weekley 70
Chris Couch 70
Mark Wilson 70
Stuart Appleby 70
Edoardo Molinari 70
J.P. Hayes 70
Marc Leishman 70
Ben Curtis 70
Jonathan Byrd 71
Dustin Johnson 71
Zach Johnson 71
K.J. Choi 71
Jim Furyk 71
David Toms 71
Carl Pettersson 71
Jason Day 71
Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 71
Matt Jones 71
John Senden 71
Retief Goosen 71
Derek Lamely 71
Hunter Mahan 71
Phil Mickelson 71
Trevor Immelman 71
Jerry Kelly 71
Selected scores:
Colin Montgomerie 72 (jt 48th).
David Duval 73 (jt 63rd).
Martin Laird 74 (jt 76th).
Justin Rose 75 (jt 94th).